ARL-TR-3901 - The Effect of Slug Material on the Behavior of Small-Caliber...

The Effect of Slug Material on the Behavior of Small-Caliber Ammunition

Report No.

ARL-TR-3901

Authors:

Joseph South; Aristedes Yiournas; Michael Minnicino

Date/Pages:

September 2006; 22 pages

Abstract:

The drive to produce environmentally friendly ?green? ammunition has shifted focus to alternate materials for the lead cores in small-arms ammunition. Candidate materials such as tungsten-nylon and tungsten-tin have been evaluated as possible replacements. This research is aimed at evaluating the response of the candidate materials as well as the current M855 ?lead? round. Experiments were conducted on sheathed and unsheathed slug samples to determine their compressive response. It was
found that each material exhibited a unique mechanical response. Finite-element simulations were generated to evaluate the relative response of each material during launch in a weapon with a linear rifling profile. Details of the experimental testing, generation of the models, and results of the analyses, as well as potential ramifications to bullet behavior, will be presented.